That's what I am.
Not Consistent, no no. Excellent.
For the first time in my management career I scored an Excellent on my review. Excellents are not easy to come by in my company. A consistent means you're doing a pretty darn good job; anything outside of that requires considerable documentation. This is how most corporate stuff goes these days as many of you corporate types know. I'm just glad my work finally paid off.
Excellent!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Part of what I greatly dislike about MySpace
To the my friends who use MySpace...how much friendlier would you be if you didn't make me see this crap just to say hello?
Think about it. Every time I see one of these errors or advertisements, a turkey dies. Keep this up and we're all screwed this comin' Thanksgiving...
SAVE THE TURKEYS!!!!
Think about it. Every time I see one of these errors or advertisements, a turkey dies. Keep this up and we're all screwed this comin' Thanksgiving...
SAVE THE TURKEYS!!!!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Computing from home
I've been house-sitting for the past 9 days. Three dogs and a huge house out in the middle of nowhere. Hopefully this explains my relative computing absence...I've been on the various messenger services but that's really all to speak of. Part of the reason why is the extra responsibilities and different schedule. There are two other factors that led to it, though...
- Different desk/chair/peripherals. I've posted before about how much i like my computer chair. I work hard to get it just the right amount of lean and give, and my body's rather adjusted to it. So not only did I not have my normal computer chair, but the one they had has NO LEAN! Terrible. Absolutely terrible. Plus I didn't have my printer, webcam, camera, speakers, or card reader.
- No TV in the room. For the past 5 years and for 9 of the past ten years I've had a TV in the same room as my computer. I've gotten so used to it that it feels weird to be on a computer at home without it. Of course this means that any computer room or office I have in the future has to have a TV in it.
Hmmm...I wonder if I can use this to get a TV in my office at work???
- Different desk/chair/peripherals. I've posted before about how much i like my computer chair. I work hard to get it just the right amount of lean and give, and my body's rather adjusted to it. So not only did I not have my normal computer chair, but the one they had has NO LEAN! Terrible. Absolutely terrible. Plus I didn't have my printer, webcam, camera, speakers, or card reader.
- No TV in the room. For the past 5 years and for 9 of the past ten years I've had a TV in the same room as my computer. I've gotten so used to it that it feels weird to be on a computer at home without it. Of course this means that any computer room or office I have in the future has to have a TV in it.
Hmmm...I wonder if I can use this to get a TV in my office at work???
Part of true genius
Part of true genius is recognizing when you're wrong and being able to admit it. My nemesis finally did that here.
Welcome to Blogger, Colleen! Glad you left the dark side! :-)
Welcome to Blogger, Colleen! Glad you left the dark side! :-)
The BCS Championship - It all just went wrong
Pictures are here...
There were two things that went well regarding the BCS Championship game and preceeding pep rally - the tailgaiting, and Teddy Ginn, Jr's touchdown. In every other respect, though, it was awful. Simply awful.
The pep rally was over-crowded to say the least. Chase field holds about 48,000 people; 35,000 showed up for the pep rally, and the upper bowl wasn't open. The band was too close to the stands so anyone on the wings couldn't hear them. There was about 20 minutes of nothingness in between each 5-10 minute section of entertainment. The pro players didn't even wear OSU colors. The pep rally for the 2003 national championship was incredible...a ten. This was a 1. Total opposite end of the spectrum.
The game...we got outran (except for one), out hustled, outpushed, outcoached. We lost in every facet of the game. After Ginn got hurt it was like a two-starter swing...not only did OSU lose a key part of their offense, but it's like Florida got another starter back on defense. Their defensive ends played stronger, quicker, and faster than we practiced for or expected. Troy Smith picked the worst time to have the worst game of his life. Our defense wasn't fast enough laterally to handle their outside runs, and Leak's passing game was unbelievably on target that night. Plus the UF's receivers ran absolutely perfect routes and destroyed our zone coverage (Tressell was evidently too scared to man up on them - probably recognized the speed and was trying to rely on the boys up front to hurry up the play). Tressell also abandoned our run game which was gashing them for the most part, but when you only run about 6 times with your running backs, that means nothing.
It was just awful. I could have sold my tickets for $2500 cash profit but my aunt would have nothing of it, and since she was the benefactress and purchaser of the tickets, that was that. Sell? No. I get forced to watch the misery from start to finish.
Oh well. I doubted our #1 ranking from the get-go. Troy Smith just had a good game at the North-South bowl this weekend but I strongly doubt he'll do well in the pros. If he's anything more than a reserve QB I'll be surprised (if he can't handle the speed of the UF defensive ends, how is he going to handle the speed of the pros?).
Looking forward to next year already...
There were two things that went well regarding the BCS Championship game and preceeding pep rally - the tailgaiting, and Teddy Ginn, Jr's touchdown. In every other respect, though, it was awful. Simply awful.
The pep rally was over-crowded to say the least. Chase field holds about 48,000 people; 35,000 showed up for the pep rally, and the upper bowl wasn't open. The band was too close to the stands so anyone on the wings couldn't hear them. There was about 20 minutes of nothingness in between each 5-10 minute section of entertainment. The pro players didn't even wear OSU colors. The pep rally for the 2003 national championship was incredible...a ten. This was a 1. Total opposite end of the spectrum.
The game...we got outran (except for one), out hustled, outpushed, outcoached. We lost in every facet of the game. After Ginn got hurt it was like a two-starter swing...not only did OSU lose a key part of their offense, but it's like Florida got another starter back on defense. Their defensive ends played stronger, quicker, and faster than we practiced for or expected. Troy Smith picked the worst time to have the worst game of his life. Our defense wasn't fast enough laterally to handle their outside runs, and Leak's passing game was unbelievably on target that night. Plus the UF's receivers ran absolutely perfect routes and destroyed our zone coverage (Tressell was evidently too scared to man up on them - probably recognized the speed and was trying to rely on the boys up front to hurry up the play). Tressell also abandoned our run game which was gashing them for the most part, but when you only run about 6 times with your running backs, that means nothing.
It was just awful. I could have sold my tickets for $2500 cash profit but my aunt would have nothing of it, and since she was the benefactress and purchaser of the tickets, that was that. Sell? No. I get forced to watch the misery from start to finish.
Oh well. I doubted our #1 ranking from the get-go. Troy Smith just had a good game at the North-South bowl this weekend but I strongly doubt he'll do well in the pros. If he's anything more than a reserve QB I'll be surprised (if he can't handle the speed of the UF defensive ends, how is he going to handle the speed of the pros?).
Looking forward to next year already...
ComicCon 2006 photos
I know, it's entirely too late for these. Here they are for your viewing pleasure anyway. Enjoy!
The company dinner
Each year my company throws a fancy recognition dinner. Minimum dress is semi-formal... held at the J.W. Marriott...filet mignon is always served...that kind of thing. I try to go each year as a matter of principle - if someone is going to pay for me to have a nice free steak dinner, I'm going to eat it. I wasn't gonna go this year but a couple of people reminded me that it would be a good idea to go (ironically, more people asked if my hat was going than if I was going). Anywho, I went. I had full goatee goin' and a couple gals thought it looked pretty sexy so that's always nice.
It was a good time. Bought a margarita which was mixed on the spot and was pretty damn good (and, strangely, cheaper than the "specialty" beers they were serving). Steak was cooked well this year and was served with a nice salmon. The potatoes were a little funny this year, but that's because they weren't potatoes - they were rice. Of course I didn't know until after the fact, but that's cool. It was still quite edible.
The dessert had so much promise only to let me down in the end. It was this chocolate mint pudding parfait thing with a few berries and some chocolate stick (which I mistook for a straw...oops). I started eating the chocolate part only to find three bites into the desert the banana cream center. GAG! It was too late, though...it went down the gullet so I had to run to the sundry shop for some Benedryl. Fortunately no real complications. It's only a mild food allergy but still makes things uncomfortable.
Anywho, we moved onto the dance afterwards and for the first time that I can remember the bass wasn't blowing the place up, which means I got to stay for the whole time! I don't really dig dancing all that much...haven't since high school, and clubs freak me out...but there are some songs that get me movin' instantly. One of them is Yeah by Usher, but of course he didn't play that until the last 15 minutes of the evening. Oh well, could have been worse.
Anywho, during the dance this guy Steve (I think that was his name) who was hired this past Friday started dancing with Susan Frank, our CEO. He's a bit of a Napoleon Dynamite lookin' fellow so it made it even funnier...
It was a good time. Bought a margarita which was mixed on the spot and was pretty damn good (and, strangely, cheaper than the "specialty" beers they were serving). Steak was cooked well this year and was served with a nice salmon. The potatoes were a little funny this year, but that's because they weren't potatoes - they were rice. Of course I didn't know until after the fact, but that's cool. It was still quite edible.
The dessert had so much promise only to let me down in the end. It was this chocolate mint pudding parfait thing with a few berries and some chocolate stick (which I mistook for a straw...oops). I started eating the chocolate part only to find three bites into the desert the banana cream center. GAG! It was too late, though...it went down the gullet so I had to run to the sundry shop for some Benedryl. Fortunately no real complications. It's only a mild food allergy but still makes things uncomfortable.
Anywho, we moved onto the dance afterwards and for the first time that I can remember the bass wasn't blowing the place up, which means I got to stay for the whole time! I don't really dig dancing all that much...haven't since high school, and clubs freak me out...but there are some songs that get me movin' instantly. One of them is Yeah by Usher, but of course he didn't play that until the last 15 minutes of the evening. Oh well, could have been worse.
Anywho, during the dance this guy Steve (I think that was his name) who was hired this past Friday started dancing with Susan Frank, our CEO. He's a bit of a Napoleon Dynamite lookin' fellow so it made it even funnier...
Friday, January 26, 2007
Not unless the kid weighs 200 pounds
So I'm still house-sitting out here on the desert prairie and on my way home from work I pass one of those diamond yellow caution signs. You know the ones...sometimes they have a swervey arrow, sometimes they warn of a big turn ahead or a stop light...stuff like that. The funniest one I've seen was down in Tucson and it appeared to be cautioning you about families of people randomly running across the road (most likely referring to border crossers since there wasn't a neighborhood nor shopping center on either side of the street). This one was a distant second - it had a see-saw on it with regular ol' stick figure kids.
Beware of the furmious teeter-totter? Of four-year olds?
Now maybe it's just asking drivers to be cautious because we're by a park and kids might be running around. Okay, that's cool...I can understand that. Except that the park is fenced in and the entrances weren't really within kid bolting distance...or even 4-year old distance-running distance...of the signs. So unless one of the kids lookin' at that see-saw is a 200 pound gordito and is about to launch a toddler into the sky, or unless they mobilized the teeter-totters and mounted turrets on them (Woah...that ride would have kicked ass when I was younger. What am I talkin' about, that would kick ass now!) I don't think there's a terrible amount to be cautious of right there.
I bet they don't even have a see-saw in the park.
Beware of the furmious teeter-totter? Of four-year olds?
Now maybe it's just asking drivers to be cautious because we're by a park and kids might be running around. Okay, that's cool...I can understand that. Except that the park is fenced in and the entrances weren't really within kid bolting distance...or even 4-year old distance-running distance...of the signs. So unless one of the kids lookin' at that see-saw is a 200 pound gordito and is about to launch a toddler into the sky, or unless they mobilized the teeter-totters and mounted turrets on them (Woah...that ride would have kicked ass when I was younger. What am I talkin' about, that would kick ass now!) I don't think there's a terrible amount to be cautious of right there.
I bet they don't even have a see-saw in the park.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Ya' furry animal!
(Bear in mind this that this week I'm house-sitting a tremendously large house out in the middle of nowhere, taking care of three dogs, and working a 7-4 schedule this week. I'm out of it.)
I saw my Assistant Vice President of Human Resources (we'll call her AVP) walking in the building this morning when I went downstairs to grab a bite of breakfast. I noticed she was wearing a nice coat with fur around the edges and neck and wanted to politely comment on it. Instead I insinuated she's an animal. Here's how the conversation went. The comments to AVP are not paraphrased nor summarized in the least.
Eyes to brain: "Hey, she's wearing a fur coat! She must be rich!"
Brain to eyes: "It's not a fur coat, you idiots...it's a coat with fur. And she's not rich. She works for your company, remember?"
Eyes to brain: "Yeah whatever...not important. We should say something to her!"
Brain: "Say something, roger that. Great idea. Mouth, you copy?"
Mouth to brain: "Standing by for orders, sir."
Brain to mouth: "Commence with 'Nice coat, AVP!'"
Mouth to brain: "'Nice coat, AVP!' Roger that."
Mouth to AVP: "Well you look furry today!"
AVP to idiot: "Oh, my...."
Brain to self: "Ohhhh FFfffffilth. Why do I gotta be stuck with these morons..."
The good - I'm not fired.
The bad - I opened my mouth in the morning w/o enough coffee.
The irony of this all is I was so out of it this morning that I forgot to shave, so if anyone was looking furry, it was me.
I saw my Assistant Vice President of Human Resources (we'll call her AVP) walking in the building this morning when I went downstairs to grab a bite of breakfast. I noticed she was wearing a nice coat with fur around the edges and neck and wanted to politely comment on it. Instead I insinuated she's an animal. Here's how the conversation went. The comments to AVP are not paraphrased nor summarized in the least.
Eyes to brain: "Hey, she's wearing a fur coat! She must be rich!"
Brain to eyes: "It's not a fur coat, you idiots...it's a coat with fur. And she's not rich. She works for your company, remember?"
Eyes to brain: "Yeah whatever...not important. We should say something to her!"
Brain: "Say something, roger that. Great idea. Mouth, you copy?"
Mouth to brain: "Standing by for orders, sir."
Brain to mouth: "Commence with 'Nice coat, AVP!'"
Mouth to brain: "'Nice coat, AVP!' Roger that."
Mouth to AVP: "Well you look furry today!"
AVP to idiot: "Oh, my...."
Brain to self: "Ohhhh FFfffffilth. Why do I gotta be stuck with these morons..."
The good - I'm not fired.
The bad - I opened my mouth in the morning w/o enough coffee.
The irony of this all is I was so out of it this morning that I forgot to shave, so if anyone was looking furry, it was me.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Indy vs. Chi-town
What a couple games!
The first one was just painful to watch. I was really pullin' the Saints but it wasn't happenin.
The second one...wow. What a comeback! I'm soooo glad that Payton finally gets his shot - I hope he snaps off for 4 touchdowns, 300+ yards, and the win, because I just don't want to see Jones or Grossman get a Superbowl ring. Well, mostly Jones. I won't mind if Grossman wins one in a few years assuming he actually becomes a good NFL quarterback someday. I DO wish just their defense could get a ring, though.
If nothing else, I'm glad the Colts won because the match I was most dreading was Chicago/New England. I wouldn't much care who won and since I'll be in Vegas for the game I might not be able to hear the commercials. Damn...guess that means I'd have to go play cards and get free drinks. :-)
The first one was just painful to watch. I was really pullin' the Saints but it wasn't happenin.
The second one...wow. What a comeback! I'm soooo glad that Payton finally gets his shot - I hope he snaps off for 4 touchdowns, 300+ yards, and the win, because I just don't want to see Jones or Grossman get a Superbowl ring. Well, mostly Jones. I won't mind if Grossman wins one in a few years assuming he actually becomes a good NFL quarterback someday. I DO wish just their defense could get a ring, though.
If nothing else, I'm glad the Colts won because the match I was most dreading was Chicago/New England. I wouldn't much care who won and since I'll be in Vegas for the game I might not be able to hear the commercials. Damn...guess that means I'd have to go play cards and get free drinks. :-)
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Sleeping in your own mess...except not
I'm house-sitting right now for my mom's boss and taking care of their three dogs. This morning at 2:35 I woke up to noises one of the dogs was making. Now, if it was just barking or something like that, no big deal. Wake up, figure out the sound, be pissed that an idiot dog woke me up, go back to bed. Done deal in a few minutes.
This wasn't so simple. Reno was next to my face making constant licking sounds that seemed familiar but I thought he was just being weird and tried to push him away. At that moment, though, came the tell-tale gurgles and I knew to dive out of the way. Super. Doggie vomit all over the $3000 tempurpedic mattress. So I get to be up trying to spot and wash sheets and bedspreads. The thing is, the main spot he hit is directly over where my chest is so if I don't spot it and clean it as best I can WITHOUT using chemicals on the special non-washable tempurpedic mattress cover, I get to sleep in his mess.
I was not upset at the dog for this. Sometimes they get sick, not a big deal. I went to bed pretty early last night (and it kills me to say "last night" at around 4:30), though, because I didn't sleep much at all the night before, and I only got a little over four hours from take 2.
I guess this is kinda what having kids is like.
WHEEEEE!!!!!
I gotta go check the washer. It sounds like it's about ready for liftoff for some reason.
EDIT: Apparently their washer is equipped with a 1400 horsepower Rolls Royce jet turbine for the spin cycle (or some other outrageously powerful motor that would actually fit into a washer). Maytag doesn't skimp on quality, I guess.
This wasn't so simple. Reno was next to my face making constant licking sounds that seemed familiar but I thought he was just being weird and tried to push him away. At that moment, though, came the tell-tale gurgles and I knew to dive out of the way. Super. Doggie vomit all over the $3000 tempurpedic mattress. So I get to be up trying to spot and wash sheets and bedspreads. The thing is, the main spot he hit is directly over where my chest is so if I don't spot it and clean it as best I can WITHOUT using chemicals on the special non-washable tempurpedic mattress cover, I get to sleep in his mess.
I was not upset at the dog for this. Sometimes they get sick, not a big deal. I went to bed pretty early last night (and it kills me to say "last night" at around 4:30), though, because I didn't sleep much at all the night before, and I only got a little over four hours from take 2.
I guess this is kinda what having kids is like.
WHEEEEE!!!!!
I gotta go check the washer. It sounds like it's about ready for liftoff for some reason.
EDIT: Apparently their washer is equipped with a 1400 horsepower Rolls Royce jet turbine for the spin cycle (or some other outrageously powerful motor that would actually fit into a washer). Maytag doesn't skimp on quality, I guess.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Seriously, why would you search for this?
Google pinged my blog today with the following search:
kissy boof
(The ping was successful because of my post on Boof Bonser, the Minnesota pitcher)
Okay, first off, why would you search for kissy boof? This is the first link that popped up in Google when running the search myself...I certainly hope this isn't what they were looking for. I know it's not what I was looking for. I don't know that I could say exactly what it was I thought would come up...I just know it wasn't that.
When I tried "kissy boof"...no results. Evidently the phrase kissy boof is nowhere to be found in the internet known to Google.
Until now. :-)
kissy boof
(The ping was successful because of my post on Boof Bonser, the Minnesota pitcher)
Okay, first off, why would you search for kissy boof? This is the first link that popped up in Google when running the search myself...I certainly hope this isn't what they were looking for. I know it's not what I was looking for. I don't know that I could say exactly what it was I thought would come up...I just know it wasn't that.
When I tried "kissy boof"...no results. Evidently the phrase kissy boof is nowhere to be found in the internet known to Google.
Until now. :-)
"The suicide yogurt is in the freezer..."
Uh, wut?
I'm going to be house-sitting this next week or so for my mom's boss and her husband. I've heard her talk about them strangely before, and I even helped them move a little less than a year ago, so seeing their stuff and hearing the stories should have been a primer.
But it wasn't.
A few strange quotes...
- "Here's our bathtub in case you want to take a bath. It (the tub) works."
- "Oh, and here's our shower. Just remember that the water comes out of the side instead of on top. Don't worry, though...if you forget, the water will only hit you in the face. It doesn't hurt much."
- "In case you need to vacuum, here's the vacuum. It plugs into the wall."
Is it a standard electrical plug then?
"Oh, no, I mean the hose plugs into the wall. The vacuum is actually battery-powered." (she wasn't kidding...it's really powered by a big ol' rechargable deal)
And my favorite...
- Said to me with a perfectly straight face: "You can eat anything you want...grill up some stuff, eat some pizzas...whatever. Just be careful of the yogurt on the bottom shelf of the freezer. If you eat it, you'll probably die." A slight pause followed, then she shut the freezer door and walked away. I didn't ask for an explanation.
We'll see how this next week or so goes. If things go well, great! I'll get some cash or free furniture out of it. If not...well, I guess I can always eat the yogurt...
I'm going to be house-sitting this next week or so for my mom's boss and her husband. I've heard her talk about them strangely before, and I even helped them move a little less than a year ago, so seeing their stuff and hearing the stories should have been a primer.
But it wasn't.
A few strange quotes...
- "Here's our bathtub in case you want to take a bath. It (the tub) works."
- "Oh, and here's our shower. Just remember that the water comes out of the side instead of on top. Don't worry, though...if you forget, the water will only hit you in the face. It doesn't hurt much."
- "In case you need to vacuum, here's the vacuum. It plugs into the wall."
Is it a standard electrical plug then?
"Oh, no, I mean the hose plugs into the wall. The vacuum is actually battery-powered." (she wasn't kidding...it's really powered by a big ol' rechargable deal)
And my favorite...
- Said to me with a perfectly straight face: "You can eat anything you want...grill up some stuff, eat some pizzas...whatever. Just be careful of the yogurt on the bottom shelf of the freezer. If you eat it, you'll probably die." A slight pause followed, then she shut the freezer door and walked away. I didn't ask for an explanation.
We'll see how this next week or so goes. If things go well, great! I'll get some cash or free furniture out of it. If not...well, I guess I can always eat the yogurt...
Monday, January 15, 2007
Notes and Observations
- Nadia on 24 is pretty hot
- I'd like not to think about a terrorist nuclear explosion (or any nuclear explosion, for that matter) on our soil. If that happens any time soon, I might ask the Marines to reconsider their medical discharge; beyond that, I'd probably ask to be considered for OCS.
- I'd like not to think about a terrorist nuclear explosion (or any nuclear explosion, for that matter) on our soil. If that happens any time soon, I might ask the Marines to reconsider their medical discharge; beyond that, I'd probably ask to be considered for OCS.
"You couldn't make it in the NFL"
There are some commercials out right now that show some kind of theoretical inside look at an NFL locker room. One is of a guy getting his dislocated finger popped back into place...another is of a guy going to dress for the game, finding an XL jock strap. Both end with the tag line "You couldn't make it in the NFL."
Now, I know I couldn't make it in the NFL but those reasons have nothing to do with it. I don't care about broken bones...I've literally played full speed in a game with a shattered wrist and a leg broken in two places at various times. I've broken all of my fingers (not thumbs) in volleyball and played with a cracked hip against the desires of my coach. I don't care about how I stack up against other guys in regards to physical stature. Filling an XL jock strap is by no means a goal of mine considering I'd have to weigh 300+ lbs to do so. No, none of that has anything to do with why I wouldn't make it in the NFL. THIS, however, does...
Reggie Bush, who's a freakin beast of a rookie and a heck of a football player, gets destroyed. I actually think his heart stopped beating a couple times during that sequence of events. He can play in the NFL, though, because his brain told his heart to start beating again, that all he did was get tackled and should get back up again.
If that happend to me, my brain would let me live long enough only to dig my own grave right there, then throw myself in it. That was by far the most fierce hit I've seen this year, and possibly ever.
Now, I know I couldn't make it in the NFL but those reasons have nothing to do with it. I don't care about broken bones...I've literally played full speed in a game with a shattered wrist and a leg broken in two places at various times. I've broken all of my fingers (not thumbs) in volleyball and played with a cracked hip against the desires of my coach. I don't care about how I stack up against other guys in regards to physical stature. Filling an XL jock strap is by no means a goal of mine considering I'd have to weigh 300+ lbs to do so. No, none of that has anything to do with why I wouldn't make it in the NFL. THIS, however, does...
Reggie Bush, who's a freakin beast of a rookie and a heck of a football player, gets destroyed. I actually think his heart stopped beating a couple times during that sequence of events. He can play in the NFL, though, because his brain told his heart to start beating again, that all he did was get tackled and should get back up again.
If that happend to me, my brain would let me live long enough only to dig my own grave right there, then throw myself in it. That was by far the most fierce hit I've seen this year, and possibly ever.
Jack Bauer is a Vampire
I've only seen about one episode of 24 from each of the past 5 seasons. Eventually I'll watch them all. Since I hate serialized shows, though, I don't watch any episodes until I can see them all at once. I refuse to buy into the show so that the network owns your soul for that hour or two each week, then obsess about it for the rest of the week.
Until now. I watched the first 1.5 episodes of the show (missed the last half hour but read about it on the website). And that's when Jack went vampire. I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it with my own eyes, but it's true. His cool factor just increased with me by about 700%.
*sigh*
So now I guess I gotta watch the show. I hate you all, 24 fans.
Until now. I watched the first 1.5 episodes of the show (missed the last half hour but read about it on the website). And that's when Jack went vampire. I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it with my own eyes, but it's true. His cool factor just increased with me by about 700%.
*sigh*
So now I guess I gotta watch the show. I hate you all, 24 fans.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
The move
Soon I'll be moving back into my own apartment. I've been chompin at the bit for months and it's a miracle that mom and I haven't killed one another (although I think I've attempted it in my sleep a couple times). I'm glad that I've been able to help out with my dad and stuff, but man, it's way long overdue that it's time for me to go.
I'll stay here until their anniversary. After that, I'm out of here as soon as I can be. There are some good apartment buys in the area I want so it happens to work out well right now.
As much as I look forward to being out of here and being closer to friends , there's one thing I don't look forward to.
I'm absolutely positively not looking forward to being alone again. I've done it before and survived, just really didn't like it. It's the silent solitude that gets me. I can turn on the TV but you can't fool your mind - it knows it's just the TV and not a real person. I can put a pillow or blankets on the other side of my bed to make it more full, but your mind knows it's just stuffing. It's what makes falling asleep a most uncomfortable proposition. Not sleep, mind you...just the process of getting there.
Oh well, I'll deal. I still utterly and completely look forward to being in my own place again. I'll just be one ridiculously tired dork.
I'll stay here until their anniversary. After that, I'm out of here as soon as I can be. There are some good apartment buys in the area I want so it happens to work out well right now.
As much as I look forward to being out of here and being closer to friends , there's one thing I don't look forward to.
I'm absolutely positively not looking forward to being alone again. I've done it before and survived, just really didn't like it. It's the silent solitude that gets me. I can turn on the TV but you can't fool your mind - it knows it's just the TV and not a real person. I can put a pillow or blankets on the other side of my bed to make it more full, but your mind knows it's just stuffing. It's what makes falling asleep a most uncomfortable proposition. Not sleep, mind you...just the process of getting there.
Oh well, I'll deal. I still utterly and completely look forward to being in my own place again. I'll just be one ridiculously tired dork.
It's over
The holiday season has officially ended at the Goodrich household. Thanksgiving is done, Christmas is done, New years is done, all family and friends are done. I've survived another season. Now it's just time for the clean up and take down.
And my folks' anniversary.
And then Valentines Day! Woohoo!!! I don't know who I'm gonna take out this year, but after two years of nothing, dangit I'm taking someone this year. I only missed one year out of the previous 14 so to miss two in a row is unconsionable. It's just a fun day to take someone out and have a good time. You don't have to be dating...it's not about that for me. It's about just enjoying the day and the company of someone else. I've done everything from a picnic to simple dinner and a movie to sunrise with donuts and sunset with hot chocolate moments to elaborate 13-hour dates with months of fore-planning. I love it all, and I look forward to a return to form this year. May you all enjoy it as much as I do!
And my folks' anniversary.
And then Valentines Day! Woohoo!!! I don't know who I'm gonna take out this year, but after two years of nothing, dangit I'm taking someone this year. I only missed one year out of the previous 14 so to miss two in a row is unconsionable. It's just a fun day to take someone out and have a good time. You don't have to be dating...it's not about that for me. It's about just enjoying the day and the company of someone else. I've done everything from a picnic to simple dinner and a movie to sunrise with donuts and sunset with hot chocolate moments to elaborate 13-hour dates with months of fore-planning. I love it all, and I look forward to a return to form this year. May you all enjoy it as much as I do!
Disciplined
I was disciplined at work today for the first time since the fall of 1999. A relatively minor offense as things go...nothing much to speak of. Just left the day with an unfamiliar, unusual, and less than pleasant tone.
I'll survive. I made my own bed. It's just more fun to have no spots on your record.
Blargh.
I'll survive. I made my own bed. It's just more fun to have no spots on your record.
Blargh.
One million a week?
That's just about what David Beckham is going to make for the next five years...FIVE YEARS!...playing socker for the LA Galaxy in MLS. Nearly one million dollars a week.
$250 million over five years.
Are you kidding me?
That man makes more in one DAY than I do in two years. That's right. It would take me 730 days to make what he does in one. I can sincerely say that I'm not jealous...I'm really not. Money would be cool to spend if I had it, but I've never been one to be jealous of money, be it $5 or $500M. But what I can't do is wrap my mind around that figure. It's just so much money so fast. What the heck do you do with that much money?
It boggles and fascinates my mind almost as much as infinity, women, the human mind, and childbirth.
$250 million over five years.
Are you kidding me?
That man makes more in one DAY than I do in two years. That's right. It would take me 730 days to make what he does in one. I can sincerely say that I'm not jealous...I'm really not. Money would be cool to spend if I had it, but I've never been one to be jealous of money, be it $5 or $500M. But what I can't do is wrap my mind around that figure. It's just so much money so fast. What the heck do you do with that much money?
It boggles and fascinates my mind almost as much as infinity, women, the human mind, and childbirth.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Let us eat, drink, and be merry...
The rest of the quote speaks for itself.
I'll post more on the game/experience later, but suffice it to say for now that we just got our asses handed to us. In every facet of the game.
*sigh*
And to think I could have had $3000 (well, $2500 after expenses) for my ticket if my aunt would have only let me sell mine.
To quote a friend of mine, this whomps.
I'll post more on the game/experience later, but suffice it to say for now that we just got our asses handed to us. In every facet of the game.
*sigh*
And to think I could have had $3000 (well, $2500 after expenses) for my ticket if my aunt would have only let me sell mine.
To quote a friend of mine, this whomps.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
I guess I can live with this...
Official IQ test? I dunno bout that. Still fairly similar in style to others I've seen, though.
Only one step away from interplanetary mental domination (the highest rating is Universal Genius...maybe one day...)
I like how the test warns you prior to beginning, though, that drowsiness/fatigue can cause lower scores. That's almost cheating...
"Oh, yeah, I'm actually smarter but I took the test at 6:00AM so my real genius didn't show up in the results."
Riiight...
Only one step away from interplanetary mental domination (the highest rating is Universal Genius...maybe one day...)
I like how the test warns you prior to beginning, though, that drowsiness/fatigue can cause lower scores. That's almost cheating...
"Oh, yeah, I'm actually smarter but I took the test at 6:00AM so my real genius didn't show up in the results."
Riiight...
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
2007 - A year of possibilities
The year has already started off bittersweet, ranging from a fabulously lazy New Year's Day with some very interesting and possibly hopeful news, to a far less than stellar January 2 with some news that was probably inevitable at some point but doesn't make it easier to swallow. It only goes to emphasize my point that this year is a year of possibilities. I knew that 2006 was going to be mediocre at best...it just didn't have the gumption, mettle, or makeup to be anything more, and it didn't disappoint. This year, though....this year is different. I start a new position at work in a new department to me and I get a new place to live to start off the year. I'll get to hire a new lead to help raise up. My team could win the national championship and finish a 13-0 season, and I'll be lucky enough to get to see it. I'm going to Vegas for the SuperBowl, and maybe even the UFC fights. I'm going to a convention in Long Beach with my old college buddy and some other good friends, and will mark the first true, non-convention-working vacation I've had away from home with friends in a long time. This could be an outstanding year...
Or it all could blow up in my face.
The point is there's a lot of exciting stuff on the horizon, but a lot of it could go terribly awry. While the outcome of many events and situations can be pontificated and debated for a while, what's undeniably clear is that this year is by far a year of possibilities. I'll do what I can to make the most of them.
Here's to hoping that 2007 goes from the year of possibilities to the year of ridiculous success and enjoyment. For all of us.
Or it all could blow up in my face.
The point is there's a lot of exciting stuff on the horizon, but a lot of it could go terribly awry. While the outcome of many events and situations can be pontificated and debated for a while, what's undeniably clear is that this year is by far a year of possibilities. I'll do what I can to make the most of them.
Here's to hoping that 2007 goes from the year of possibilities to the year of ridiculous success and enjoyment. For all of us.
2006 - A year in review
My buddy Joe and I always spend New Years Day together, or at least the better part of it, doing nothing but being lazy and watching football. This year was no different. What was different, though, was our annual year-in-review. Typically we'll rehash the best- and worst-of as well as hopes/resolutions for the new year, if any; for some reason that just didn't happen this year. It doesn't feel like the end of a year without it and it's a good exercise to see where you've come from anyway, so here's my annual review. The best and worst of 2006. We'll start with the worst first (gotta leave on a high note).
Dishonorable mention: Losing my cell phone (don't ever do this); Krispy Kreme closing down in AZ and Dunkin Donuts running out of them (seriously, it happened); Not finishing my current position at work strongly (at this point I'm doing what I can to just tie up loose ends...my old team and team lead deserve better); Getting humbled by a dear friend (man did that smart, and man did I deserve it); Homemade wings (dear God, never again...); the holidays and the not funness that comes with them (I did my best to avoid it this year...at least I was able to put it off until the weekend before Christmas, but man did it hit like a brick); the continuing war in Iraq (would be higher if I had any loved ones over there); 143 straight days w/no rain (this almost made the top five but was eeked out); waiting to fall asleep every night (it's not a whole lot easier now than it was a couple years ago); blowing calls in the FMA world championships (I know people make mistakes, but I knew better)
5. System outages at work in April. For the better part of a week we had a core system outage at work, meaning people couldn't access their funds normally. Days worth of listening to people just ripping on my employees, myself, my mother, my boss, the president...whoever. Plus the longest work week I've had at the credit union.
4. Seeing my employees crying. My agents at work have some real world problems they deal with on a daily basis. This year we've survived more deaths in the immediate family and critical health issues than we've ever seen, both total and per capita. It was a draining time to be a manager, but I'm glad I could be there for them.
3. A cancelled beach vacation. Talk about getting punched in the crotch and kicked in the shins at the same time while watching someone eat you heart. It was nice to have some alone time at home, but I don't get a lot of chances to be at the beach for a week for only $150. This really put a bad light on the couple months to follow.
2. Beginning of the End at work. It started with Veronica leaving in March and finding out while I was in Vegas. Then I sensed Shannon would be leaving and it ended up that I wasn't wrong. Then Tina leaves. In the course of 6 months I go from bottom of the list to most senior supervisor. It started in April; the canceled vacation was the final straw. It's a shame, too. Maybe I'll be back there again one day.
1. The Silent Treatment. Little in this life is worse in my eyes than receiving the silent treatment. I happened to earn it twice this year from two different people. I hate it. I truly do. Scream at me, yell, punch, sign language, smoke signals, blow up my car, steal my money, rip up letters and pictures...whatever. All of that is more preferable to a complete void of communication. There's not much more detrimental to a relationship than this. If I do nothing to receive that treament, that's different. Then they can go jump off a bridge for all I care. But that's not what happened. Whether or not I actually deserved this particular "punishment" is a subject for debate I suppose, but the fact is I still did something to prompt it. I have to live with the consequences of my actions. I hurt these people and this is what I got. And that sucks. I didn't want to hurt either of these two folks to begin with, and I really don't want to hurt them now...not if it means a communication black hole.
And now for the best!!!
Honorable Mention: Judging the FMA World Championships (even if I did botch a couple calls, it was still an honor to judge a world championshp!); V is for Vendetta (I absolutely loved this movie and it was seen with my old college roommate and best friend); Seeing Wicked (what an amazing show, seen with amazing company!); Comments on the hat (by far the most widely and wildly loved hat I've worn, and the only one that's actually earned me flirts from ladies); Ohio State earning a shot for the national championship (I'm gonna die a couple years earlier for how close it was, but still...); A week at the Ritz (If my office could be a room at the Ritz-Carlton, who knows what I might accomplish in this world - they make you feel like pure, living success); the Aerosmith/Lenny Kravitz concert (just a great show); 1st Annual Penny War at work (well received by the teams, by upper management, and by the children at Phoenix Children's Hospital)
5. Being reconnected with folks from my past. Generally speaking I don't like to be found by people I went to high school with, old flings, etc. This year was a little different, though, as a few key folks and I were somehow re-united, including my sister Malissa and my nemesis Colleen. I also met with my ex-wife for the first time since the divorce and allowed her the opportunity to make her peace. It went well. I'm glad she got the opportunity she needed; I doubt we'll ever intentionally meet again.
4. Getting published. I know it's only Scrye magazine, but that's not the point. For an English teacher, getting your work published in a national publication is a mark of legitimacy. Plus I got paid which was even better!
3. Getting offered a significant raise for a new position/lateral transfer. No promotion, but a fair raise over the course of 11 weeks. Plus I essentially get handed the reigns of a department. It's good to be wanted, and after not getting a management position added to my old department plus having to cancel my vacation for the privilege while others take that same week off...it was a little vindication for me.
2. The trip to NY/Columbus/Indy. What a ride. Seeing great friends, the city that never sleeps, my oldest friend's daughter, old friends, and good company. Road trip, plane trip, long trip. Helicopters landing on the highway and Mac's quoting the Juggernaut. It all only served to let me know that I've got to get back to New York City sometime! Greg, Hayden, Tudy, Joey, Mike, and the PressPass crew...thanks for making the trip what it was!
1. The Ninja. Every now and then someone comes into your life that leaves such an indelible impression that you know your life will never be the same. Brittney Jo, Office Ninja, is just such a person. I knew as soon as I saw her that she would be trouble. I wasn't disappointed. She was the reason I maintained any semblance of sanity during the April outages. She made the canceled vacation bearable, even enjoyable. She helped me realize the versatility of McDonalds receipts and that golf courses really can be relaxing. She helped me to find a new appreciation for libraries. And she gave me the best birthday gift I've ever received....a simple, carefully made little blue wooden box. Thanks for the memories, thanks for being an office ninja with me, and thank you for being my friend. I look forward to seeing you dance again one day... I'll be in the crowd when it happens, watching you reach for the stars after the sun has dipped below the horizon.
To all of you that made the year what it was...thank you so much for the memories and the good times!!! And now for 2007...
Dishonorable mention: Losing my cell phone (don't ever do this); Krispy Kreme closing down in AZ and Dunkin Donuts running out of them (seriously, it happened); Not finishing my current position at work strongly (at this point I'm doing what I can to just tie up loose ends...my old team and team lead deserve better); Getting humbled by a dear friend (man did that smart, and man did I deserve it); Homemade wings (dear God, never again...); the holidays and the not funness that comes with them (I did my best to avoid it this year...at least I was able to put it off until the weekend before Christmas, but man did it hit like a brick); the continuing war in Iraq (would be higher if I had any loved ones over there); 143 straight days w/no rain (this almost made the top five but was eeked out); waiting to fall asleep every night (it's not a whole lot easier now than it was a couple years ago); blowing calls in the FMA world championships (I know people make mistakes, but I knew better)
5. System outages at work in April. For the better part of a week we had a core system outage at work, meaning people couldn't access their funds normally. Days worth of listening to people just ripping on my employees, myself, my mother, my boss, the president...whoever. Plus the longest work week I've had at the credit union.
4. Seeing my employees crying. My agents at work have some real world problems they deal with on a daily basis. This year we've survived more deaths in the immediate family and critical health issues than we've ever seen, both total and per capita. It was a draining time to be a manager, but I'm glad I could be there for them.
3. A cancelled beach vacation. Talk about getting punched in the crotch and kicked in the shins at the same time while watching someone eat you heart. It was nice to have some alone time at home, but I don't get a lot of chances to be at the beach for a week for only $150. This really put a bad light on the couple months to follow.
2. Beginning of the End at work. It started with Veronica leaving in March and finding out while I was in Vegas. Then I sensed Shannon would be leaving and it ended up that I wasn't wrong. Then Tina leaves. In the course of 6 months I go from bottom of the list to most senior supervisor. It started in April; the canceled vacation was the final straw. It's a shame, too. Maybe I'll be back there again one day.
1. The Silent Treatment. Little in this life is worse in my eyes than receiving the silent treatment. I happened to earn it twice this year from two different people. I hate it. I truly do. Scream at me, yell, punch, sign language, smoke signals, blow up my car, steal my money, rip up letters and pictures...whatever. All of that is more preferable to a complete void of communication. There's not much more detrimental to a relationship than this. If I do nothing to receive that treament, that's different. Then they can go jump off a bridge for all I care. But that's not what happened. Whether or not I actually deserved this particular "punishment" is a subject for debate I suppose, but the fact is I still did something to prompt it. I have to live with the consequences of my actions. I hurt these people and this is what I got. And that sucks. I didn't want to hurt either of these two folks to begin with, and I really don't want to hurt them now...not if it means a communication black hole.
And now for the best!!!
Honorable Mention: Judging the FMA World Championships (even if I did botch a couple calls, it was still an honor to judge a world championshp!); V is for Vendetta (I absolutely loved this movie and it was seen with my old college roommate and best friend); Seeing Wicked (what an amazing show, seen with amazing company!); Comments on the hat (by far the most widely and wildly loved hat I've worn, and the only one that's actually earned me flirts from ladies); Ohio State earning a shot for the national championship (I'm gonna die a couple years earlier for how close it was, but still...); A week at the Ritz (If my office could be a room at the Ritz-Carlton, who knows what I might accomplish in this world - they make you feel like pure, living success); the Aerosmith/Lenny Kravitz concert (just a great show); 1st Annual Penny War at work (well received by the teams, by upper management, and by the children at Phoenix Children's Hospital)
5. Being reconnected with folks from my past. Generally speaking I don't like to be found by people I went to high school with, old flings, etc. This year was a little different, though, as a few key folks and I were somehow re-united, including my sister Malissa and my nemesis Colleen. I also met with my ex-wife for the first time since the divorce and allowed her the opportunity to make her peace. It went well. I'm glad she got the opportunity she needed; I doubt we'll ever intentionally meet again.
4. Getting published. I know it's only Scrye magazine, but that's not the point. For an English teacher, getting your work published in a national publication is a mark of legitimacy. Plus I got paid which was even better!
3. Getting offered a significant raise for a new position/lateral transfer. No promotion, but a fair raise over the course of 11 weeks. Plus I essentially get handed the reigns of a department. It's good to be wanted, and after not getting a management position added to my old department plus having to cancel my vacation for the privilege while others take that same week off...it was a little vindication for me.
2. The trip to NY/Columbus/Indy. What a ride. Seeing great friends, the city that never sleeps, my oldest friend's daughter, old friends, and good company. Road trip, plane trip, long trip. Helicopters landing on the highway and Mac's quoting the Juggernaut. It all only served to let me know that I've got to get back to New York City sometime! Greg, Hayden, Tudy, Joey, Mike, and the PressPass crew...thanks for making the trip what it was!
1. The Ninja. Every now and then someone comes into your life that leaves such an indelible impression that you know your life will never be the same. Brittney Jo, Office Ninja, is just such a person. I knew as soon as I saw her that she would be trouble. I wasn't disappointed. She was the reason I maintained any semblance of sanity during the April outages. She made the canceled vacation bearable, even enjoyable. She helped me realize the versatility of McDonalds receipts and that golf courses really can be relaxing. She helped me to find a new appreciation for libraries. And she gave me the best birthday gift I've ever received....a simple, carefully made little blue wooden box. Thanks for the memories, thanks for being an office ninja with me, and thank you for being my friend. I look forward to seeing you dance again one day... I'll be in the crowd when it happens, watching you reach for the stars after the sun has dipped below the horizon.
To all of you that made the year what it was...thank you so much for the memories and the good times!!! And now for 2007...
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